Lake County boasts two National Blue Ribbon school winners

Two Lake County schools have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools, a prestigious award denoting education excellence.

After months of waiting, students, teachers and parents at Rockland School in Libertyville Elementary District 70 and Prince of Peace Catholic School in Lake Villa learned Tuesday they made the cut.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan made the live announcement recognizing 287 public schools and 50 private schools via the department's Web channel. The winners were not named individually but anxious viewers quickly checked the link to the online list.

"National Blue Ribbon Schools are models of consistent excellence and a resource for other schools and districts," Duncan said. "We celebrate them for their tireless effort and boundless creativity in reaching and teaching every student."

Nineteen elementary schools in Illinois were honored. Rockland first won the award in 1989 and became one of several District 70 winners through the years. It was the first win for Prince of Peace, where all 25 staff members wore blue for Duncan's announcement, broadcast on a big screen at the new parish life center.

"It is so exciting, it really, truly is," said Mary Rooney, assistant principal at the pre-K through 8 school that has about 245 students. "It's always good to have people validate what you do."

Test scores are taken into account, but Rooney said the award represented a compilation of the curriculum and years of work rather than a single achievement.

"I think the thing that stood out the most was the dedication of the staff," she said Wednesday.

At Rockland, the old-fashioned, bright red exterior doors represent the blend of maintaining traditions while pushing for improvement, Principal Jeff Knapp said.

"It's a celebration of what we've known - this is a special place and it's nice to have the award attached," Knapp said. "It's more than just the academic process."

Rockland, built in 1927, is a K-5 neighborhood school serving about 300 students. It joins Highland Middle (1990, 2010), Adler Park (1991, 2000) and Butterfield (1993) as District 70 schools with the blue ribbon designation.

The program recognizes elementary, middle and high schools where students perform at high levels on state or national tests or those that have made significant progress closing achievement gaps between subgroups of students during the past five years. Schools began the process early this year and completed a lengthy application comprised of several components, including professional development and community engagement.

Knapp credited the collaboration of hard working students, dedicated parents and an outstanding teaching staff in winning the award.

At Prince of Peace, Rooney said the school wants to keep up the good work and move ahead with technology.

"Our main focus here is showing them (students) hard work pays off," Rooney said.

Representatives from the winning schools will be honored at a recognition ceremony Nov. 10-11 in Washington, D.C.